New gTLDs: Pre-Register Now at Webnames.ca

You can now Pre-register new gTLDs (generic Top Level Domains) with Webnames.ca!

Earlier this year, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that they are releasing hundreds to over a thousand new generic Top Level domains (gTLDs) in 2013. Webnames.ca has launched a system to let you pre-register for domain name extensions you may be interested in. By using the free pre-registration system, you have no obligation but you do get first priority to information on release dates and rules as these become available.

What is a gTLD and how is it relevant to you and your business?

Simply put, a gTLD is the .COM, .ORG, .NET, .INFO, .BIZ and other domain name extensions that you see at the end of a website’s URL.Today, there are only 22 gTLD extensions with many more country code specific domain extensions like .CA. To increase the level of diversity and competition, ICANN decided that it would expand the number of new domain name extensions with an expected release of about 1000 or more gTLDs over 2013 and 2014.

Brand Reinforcement

When the new gTLD’s arrive, it will provide businesses with new opportunities and choices because of the amount of diversity these will bring.

Businesses will also need to review their brands and trademarks to ensure they protect their names under key domain name extensions.

New gTLD String Preview

ICANN has yet to announce which gTLD’s are being released next year. So far, there have been roughly 1930 applications but ICANN aims to only release one thousand next year.

Some of the new gTLD’s are:

• .APP
• .BLOG
• .ECO
• .HOTEL
• .INC
• .SHOP
• .MAP
• .MOBILE
• .SITE
• .WEB
  

Go to http://www.webnames.ca/pre-registration to see a full list of new domain name extensions you can pre-register today.

Geographical gTLD Extensions

New gTLD strings will also come in the form of geographic gTLDs. These represent cities or other geographical areas. Some of the new geographic gTLDs are:

• .PARIS
• .QUEBEC
• .BERLIN
• .OSAKA

Go to http://www.webnames.ca/pre-registration to see a full list of new geographical domain name extensions you can pre-register today.

Release Date

As of today, ICANN has not announced a confirmed date when the new gTLD strings will be released. However, ICANN has indicated that it would take 11-12 months for a single batch of gTLD strings to be processed and expects the first of the new strings to be released during the third quarter of 2013.

Which new gTLDs will Webnames.ca offer?

Right now, we
can’t say for sure because we still don’t know which applications will
be approved or which ones will be available for the general public.
However, we want YOU to tell us which gTLDs you would be interested in by Pre-Registering for the domains that interest you. Pre-registering gives you priority in obtaining key information of launch dates, pricing and rules as they are made available by ICANN and the respective registries for the domains you are interested in registering.

The Benefits of Pre-Registering

• Pre-registration is free
• There is no obligation to register in the future
• You’ll be the first to know when the new extensions are released and about any rules that give trademark owners or certain registrants priority for specific domains you pre-register for

Pre-Register for new gTLDs now!